As Jessica Funk-Haslam murder trial begins, two stories emerge

Rosemont teen's body discovered in 2012 in baseball dugout

Ryan Douglas Roberts, 23, was arrested in connection with the death of 13-year-old Jessica Funk-Haslam, whose body was found in a Rosemont Community Park baseball dugout more than 17 months ago. Read full story.

Investigators said she had suffered a blow to the head, had been asphyxiated and had received a deep stab wound to the neck.

In August 2013, investigators matched DNA found on cigarette butts left at the crime scene to Ryan Roberts.

Roberts was then arrested on Aug. 8, 2013 on a murder charge about 17 months after a woman walking through Rosemont Community Park discovered Jessica's body, according to Sacramento County sheriff's deputies.

Roberts previously pleaded not guilty in January 2014 in Jessica's death.

Two stories emerge in murder trial

Deputy District Attorney Eric Kindall told jurors Roberts initially denied to investigators that he had been at the park that night and told them he had never seen the victim.

However, Kindall said friends of Roberts later contradicted his story and said he was indeed there and had even spoke with Funk-Haslam.

Kindall said Roberts' DNA was also found on the girl's belt buckle but said she was not raped.

Later, defense attorney Jennifer Mouzis presented an alternative version of the slaying.

Mouzis said Funk-Haslam had been killed by a teenage friend and a man she met through that friend.

Mouzis identified the friend as Savannah Lawless and the man as Christopher Reed.

"They have the wrong guy," Mouzis told jurors.

Mouzis said, a few hours before the killing, a woman overheard the girls planning to meet Reed.

The first witness to take the stand was Kevin Childs, a crime scene investigator for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

No information has been released on Roberts' motive for killing Jessica.